The　geshan　is　an　essential　component　of　ancient　wooden　buildings.　They　provide　ventilation　and　lighting　while　playing　a　significant　role　in　the　structure＇s　seismic　performance.　This　article　presents　the　results　of　quasi-static　tests　conducted　on　three　sets　of　four-column　lifting　beam　1:2　scale　test　specimens.　The　study　investigated　the　influence　of　geshan　on　structural　torsion,　joint　tenoning,　column　root　sliding,　and　lifting　deformation　characteristics.　Additionally,　the　study　examined　the　impact　of　these　characteristics　on　seismic　performance,　including　strength,　stiffness,　and　energy　dissipation　capacity.　The　results　indicate　that　the　geshan　had　positive　and　negative　effects　on　the　structure.　While　they　reduced　the　torsion　of　the　structure　during　loading　and　prevented　the　pullout　of　the　dovetail　joints,　they　also　exacerbated　the　lifting　and　slipping　of　the　column　root.　The　geshan　increased　the　structure＇s　stiffness,　bearing　capacity,　and　energy　dissipation　capacity,　but　reduced　its　ductility.　The　article　analyzes　the　relationship　between　the　initial　damage,　deformation　characteristics,　and　stress　performance　of　geshan　and　structures,　highlighting　their　mutual　influence.　The　research　results　can　be　used　as　a　reference　for　accurately　evaluating　the　seismic　performance　of　ancient　wooden　buildings　with　geshan.　©　2024　Institution　of　Structural　Engineers